Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Any winchester 88 users out there ?

Do you hunt with them or let them sit ? comments ?

I bought a M88 308 a couple of years ago. The price was decent and I always wanted to play with one.

This is after a lifetime of M99 use in the woods. My other rifles are mostly bolts with a few single shots.

The 88 is heavier than the 99f's. I just prefer the 99's.

I have three classic lever actions, all of which I use during hunting season.
Model 88 is in 338-08
Model 64 is a 30/30
Model 99 is 358.
The hardest part is deciding which one to grab as I head out the door. Each one is special and has an advantage and disadvantage over the other, it's nice to have a choice.

Another problem is I also have a real nice Marlin 336 in 35rem and another Model 94 in 30/30. I guess you could call me a lever action slut.

I have a '57 88 in .308 and have used it quite a bit. It'll shoot between an inch and a inch-and-a-half with ammo it likes (factory). The trigger took some getting used to, but the gun carries and balances well. It's downed quite a few different kinds of critters - elk, moose, deer, hogs, etc. I'll likely never part with it.

I have a pre 64 88 284, hunted with it for 10 plus years, shot a
full curl Dall Ram solo hunt & a 52 " Bull Moose. It shoots quite well around 1.5". Have not used it in some time and will
sell it.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...&topic=0&Search=true#Post2353019

I've had my 308 chambered Model 88 for a few years now. I've shot it enough to know that it is plenty accurate, but I haven't hunted with it yet (bolt guns are my favorite) but I intend to this season. I like the 88 and scoped it up with a nice vintage 4x Weaver.

post 64 in .308 Leupold fixed 4X, I hunt with it, one of my fav rifles.

My Dad loved to hunt with his , built in '56 308. With the scope it just doesn't feel right to me ( too used to my little marlins I guess )

A question for everyone though. Since it's drilled and tapped for a reciever sight , does anyone have or use a reciever sight on thiers ?

very nice. I've thought about using a reciever sight.... then forgot about it again.

I think it would work very well & would look prety sporty too.

A quick look thru a lyman reloading book shows the receiver sight as a 66W88 .
Wish I had more time at the gun show a couple of weeks ago to see if I could find one.

Can ya tell Dad was a south paw

I have a 60 model that was given to me by a now deceased friend. Less than a box of shells have been through it. Though it is a beauty, it sits in the safe as I have others that I like to hunt with more. But still love to take it out from time to time as it reminds me so much of my friend. They do not have to be hunted to be loved! TM

I have a 1957 '88 in 308. Love the way it feels/handles. Trigger is beter than any other '88 I've tried. First factory ammo I shot in it printed .75" groups. Figured that would be tough to beat. It shoots .5" groups with 150gr Accubonds over 45.5gr IMR 4895. It sports a 3-9x40 Redfield Widefield......

Excellent point!!

Personally, If you die with that thing in your safe, having never used, it would be a tragedy IMO.....

Pre 64 model 88's are becoming collectors items. My father left me his with an aperture sight on it. His last deer with it was a nice 6 pt at 225 dressed shot in NH. I promised him it would go hunting with it and I do, one day a season as it is in 99% condition. It now sports a 40 yr old Weaver K4. The aperture sight was a Lyman. Not a particularly accurate rifle.

Crazy

I have used them in the past and liked them, but the Savage 99 has always held a spot in my heart. I guess its mostly nostalgia from a childhood of a family that used them and the Win. 94s almost exclusively..

At present I have two in .358 and .284. In the past I also had a .308 and .243. With handloaded 150g NBT the .284 would consistently do .5", but with factory 150 PP it does about 1.5". The .358 does a consistant 1.5" with 225g NPT. I have hunted with both and have brought home the meat bag with both. The trigger takes a bit of getting used to.

Just saw one in a local gunstore tonight.. pre-64 in 284, pretty danged clean. $800 didn't seem too bad of a price..

A pre-64 M88 in .284 Win for $800.00 that is pretty clean is a bargain - buy it!